Lonnie Dupre

The arrow shows the route for the first summer crossing of the Arctic Ocean. By kayak and on skis, with no external support, Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen will leave Siberia in May 2005 and travel via the Pole, expecting to reach Canada 100 days later. The white area indicates the ice cap in September 2003. The pale blue area shows how far it extended in September 1979. During this period the summer ice cap decreased by about 18 per cent.

Lonnie Dupre will attempt first summer crossing of Arctic Ocean to raise awareness of global warming. Canadian Arctic

Crossing the Arctic Ocean in summer, Dupre aims to increase public awareness of global warming. Canadian Arctic

Dupre is a veteran Arctic explorer who is determined to preserve the far North’s fragile ecosystems. Canadian Arctic

Thawing permafrost spells trouble for roads, houses and other infrastructure. Canadian Arctic

Education is important for Dupre’s project; here he (left) and Larsen (right) speak to children at Sakku School. Coral Harbour, Canada

White ice reflects the sun’s energy into atmosphere, but dark sea absorbs energy, accelerating melting. Canadian Arctic

Dupre was the first person to circumnavigate Greenland by kayak, a four-year 10,000km trip. Canadian Arctic

A dedicated expedition website will allow people to follow the 2005 expedition as it happens. Canadian Arctic

Dupre and Larsen will paddle and haul their kayaks across treacherous fractured sea ice and open water. Canadian Arctic

Years of preparation are required for this undertaking; Dupre and Larsen haul kayaks over frozen lakes. Canadian Arctic

No explorer has ventured into the Arctic in summer when open water covers at least 30% of the surface. Canadian Arctic

Summer temperatures in the Arctic have been rising by approximately 1.2°C per decade since the 1980s. Canadian Arctic

Extreme and fragile, the environment plays a critical role in the everyday lives of the Inuit. Canadian Arctic

Inuit hunters rely on coastal ice, more navigable than the interior landscape, for hunting. Canadian Arctic

With traditional routes over ice reduced, Inuit villages are increasingly isolated. Coral Harbour, Canada